Crunchyroll has set sail with plans for the worldwide theatrical debut of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, the eagerly awaited second feature film in the beloved isekai franchise, as announced during the Crunchyroll Showcase at New York Comic Con 2025. This cinematic voyage promises to plunge audiences into a fresh aquatic adventure woven with the series' signature blend of fantasy world-building and high-stakes drama.
This latest cinematic venture marks a significant expansion for the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) series, which has captivated global viewers since its anime adaptation premiered in 2018. Building on the success of the franchise's first film, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime The Movie: Scarlet Bond—which hit Japanese theaters in 2022 before receiving a Crunchyroll-distributed North American release in January 2023—the new movie introduces an original story penned by series creator Fuse. While an exact release date remains under wraps, Crunchyroll has secured worldwide theatrical rights, excluding most Asian markets, signaling a broad rollout across cinemas in North America, Europe, and beyond.
Details on screening formats, including subtitled and dubbed options, are forthcoming, but the studio's track record suggests a commitment to accessibility. Scarlet Bond, for instance, played in both English-dubbed and Japanese-subtitled versions, drawing strong box office numbers and praise for its seamless integration of the series' lore. Production for Tears of the Azure Sea aligns with the anime's established creative team, including direction by Atsushi Nakayama at Studio Eight Bit, series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, and character designs by Ryoma Ebata. These collaborators helmed the most recent season of the television series, ensuring continuity in the vibrant animation style and intricate storytelling that define the franchise.
The reveal at NYCC 2025 included a special screening of the film's teaser promotional video (PV), offering a tantalizing glimpse of the azure-hued visuals and escalating tensions that await. Crunchyroll, known for streaming the core series and prior film in multiple languages, continues to position itself as the go-to platform for anime distribution, with this theatrical push underscoring its growing influence in live-action and animated entertainment alike.
What is That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea about?
To fully appreciate the stakes of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, it's essential to trace the roots of the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime saga. Originating as a light novel series authored by Fuse (under the pen name) and illustrated by Mitz Vah, the story debuted in 2013 on Japan's Shōsetsuka ni Narō web novel platform before being formally published by Micro Magazine in print form. What began as a self-published tale of corporate drudgery transformed into an epic of nation-building and interdimensional diplomacy, amassing over 40 volumes by 2025 and spawning manga adaptations, a mobile game, and the globally streamed anime.
At its heart, the narrative follows Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old office worker who meets an untimely end in a random street attack. Reborn in a medieval fantasy realm as a seemingly innocuous slime monster named Rimuru Tempest, he leverages his "Predator" ability—allowing him to absorb and mimic the powers of defeated foes—to evolve from a gelatinous survivor into a charismatic leader. Rimuru's journey evolves into the founding of the Jura Tempest Federation, a utopian monster nation that bridges divides between humans, demons, elves, and other races. The light novels, blending isekai tropes with political intrigue, economic strategy, and heartfelt alliances, have sold millions worldwide, cementing Fuse's status as a modern fantasy powerhouse.
Tears of the Azure Sea picks up in this richly expanded universe, delivering an original tale that extends the anime's timeline. The official synopsis reads as follows: After concluding the opening ceremony of the Demon Kingdom Federation Tempest, Rimuru and his companions are invited by the Celestial Emperor Hermesia of the great elven nation – the Magi Dynasty Salion – to visit her private resort island. As the group enjoys their brief vacation, a mysterious woman named Yura appears. A new incident unfolds against the backdrop of the boundless azure sea.
This installment teases a departure from the series' landlocked conquests, thrusting Rimuru's inner circle into uncharted oceanic perils. While specifics on Yura's role and the "new incident" remain veiled to preserve the thrill, the setup hints at explorations of elven diplomacy, hidden threats lurking beneath idyllic waters, and the ever-present balance Rimuru strikes between leisure and leadership. Fans of the light novels will note echoes of Salion's lore from later volumes, where the elven empire's arcane traditions intersect with Tempest's progressive ideals, potentially setting the stage for broader conflicts in future adaptations.
As That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime continues to dominate anime discourse—its third season concluding earlier this year with record viewership on Crunchyroll—the arrival of Tears of the Azure Sea represents not just a cinematic milestone, but a testament to the franchise's enduring appeal. With theaters poised to host this underwater odyssey, audiences worldwide can expect another chapter where slime meets sea, and alliances are tested amid the tides.
